Koisuru fortune cookies have become a social phenomenon. What is the secret of BNK48's popularity?

Koisuru Fortune Cookie is known as a hit song by the Japanese idol group AKB48.

Some people may have danced the ``Koi-chun'' dance, with Rino Sashihara at the center and many other AKB members dancing, as well as at karaoke and year-end parties. Speaking of AKB48, they created the format of a large dancing idol group with 48 members as one group, and in Japan, they have made many local versions of the same model hit, such as the Osaka version of NMB48 and the Fukuoka version of HKT48.

After that, the concept was exported overseas.

There are currently overseas versions of AKB groups in five cities overseas, including the Indonesian version of JKT48, which was formed in 2011. What is currently becoming a social phenomenon in Thailand is not AKB48's Koisuru Fortune Cookie, but the one from BNK48, which was formed in 2016. The song and lyrics are the same, and it's exactly the same as "Koi-chun," which was a hit in Japan. So why have Bangkok's BNK48 and the Thai version of "Koi-chun" been so well received in Thailand that they have caused such a social phenomenon?

Overseas version of AKB group

• JKT48: Indonesia-Jakarta (2011)
• TPE48: Taiwan-Taipei (2011) → Active as AKB48 Team TP from 2018.
• SNH48: China-Shanghai (2012)
• MNL48: Philippines-Manila (2016)
• BNK48: Thailand-Bangkok (2016)

It has developed into a social phenomenon. BNK48's 2nd single Koisuru Fortune Cookie.

The song was released at the end of 2017 as BNK48's second single.
The title is "Koisuru Fortune Cookie (คุกกี้เสี่ยงทาย)", which is written in Japanese alphabetically.

In the country, where buying music CDs is not very common, they have sold over 30,000 copies, and the group's dance videos quickly exceeded 100 million views on YouTube.

The number continues to increase even now. BNK48 fans' so-called ``Odote Mita'' videos are being uploaded one after another, and their popularity is accelerating. It has been in heavy rotation on TV and radio, and has even become a social phenomenon in Thailand.

The cute onigiri dance is still alive and well

Onigiri dance at the beginning

At the beginning of the song's dance, where the choreography involves holding a rice ball, fans call out "Onigiri" in Japanese.
The girls dancing in this video are definitely saying onigiri, which is cute.
I'm glad that Thai people understand that onigiri is actually a rice ball, but the Japanese language is accepted as it is.

Why was the AKB method accepted in Thailand and why did BNK48 become popular?

So why was BNK48 able to achieve such success in Thailand?
I think the reason for this is the following factors, which are also related to the social situation in Thailand.

・Pro-Japanese sentiment towards Japan in Southeast Asia
・Remarkable economic growth in Thailand
・Decreasing popularity of Korean idols
・Harmony and fusion of Japanese and Thai culture

Japan's pro-Japan sentiment towards Japan in Southeast Asia
As Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mahathir once proposed, ``Make Japan the model (Look East Policy)'', Japan achieved economic growth early after World War II and established itself in Asia. It seems that people in Southeast Asia have feelings similar to ``admiration'' for.

Thailand is also known as a country with many people who are pro-Japanese, and the format of AKB48, which embraces the innovative and new ``KAWAII'' (kawaii) that came from Japan, has been able to gain great popularity as the Japanese language and culture have been accepted as they are. I did.

Thailand's remarkable economic growth
Southeast Asia is currently experiencing strong economic development, and Thailand has become a driving force behind the Southeast Asian economy.

Looking at the year-on-year changes in real GDP over the past five years, 2013...2.7%
2014...1.0%
2015

...3.0%
2016...3.3%
2017...3.9%
It has been steadily growing for several years. Smartphones have become explosively popular in Thailand over the past 10 years, and anyone can now enjoy surfing the Internet, which was previously something that could only be enjoyed on a luxury computer, easily and anywhere.

As a result, it has become easy to obtain the latest trends and music, and if you like it, you can share it with others on SNS, etc., and trends have become directly linked to the purchase of goods and tickets.

Declining popularity of Korean idols
"Korean idols" became a global movement for a time, regardless of Japan.
Up until then, ``perfected beauty'' was sought after, with beautiful women of outstanding proportions showing off their perfect dance moves and high-quality singing voices. The ``Japanese idol'' style of having fun while cheering on the idols has been accepted and is gaining support.

The harmony and fusion of Japanese and Thai culture, and
the cuteness of girls is now becoming a common language around the world as ``KAWAII'', which originated in Japan.
In Thailand, Japan's ``KAWAII'' has resonated with young people, and I think the ``affinity'' of being able to become a member of BNK yourself is a contributing factor to its popularity.

In addition, Thai popular music ``Luk Thung'' up until now has generally featured highly exposed sexual appeal, but BNK48 is in contrast to this by portraying an exemplary and wholesome youth image (= idol image). ) has been established. In Thailand, where regulations on the sex industry are becoming stricter year by year, I think it is only natural that such an exemplary image of a young person would garner support from the people.

Who is the most popular member of BNK48? Let's take a look at these five people first.

It would be impossible to introduce everyone in BNK48, so we will introduce five of the most popular members here.

mobile

@mobile.bnk48official

A mobile phone that became popular due to the hit song "Koisuru Fortune Cookie".
She is characterized by her cute smile and high singing ability.

name	Pimrapat Phadungwatanachok
date of birth	June 9, 2002
Birthplace	Bangkok
blood type	O type
height	159cm
Facebook	@bnk48official.mobile
Hobbies/Favorites	Cosplay/Moomin, anime, makeup

Chapuran

@cherprang.bnk48official

A talented woman who serves as the captain of BNK48 and attends a famous national university.
The most popular member of BNK48 right now is Chirpran.
She was ranked 39th in the 2018 World Senbatsu General Election, the top of BNK48, and is popular not only in Japan but also globally, and is one of the hottest people right now.

name	Cherprang Areekul
date of birth	May 2, 1996
Birthplace	Bangkok
blood type	B type
Facebook	@bnk48official.cherprang

Music

@music.bnk48official

Music served as the first center.
She has been very popular as a core member of BNK48 since the first season.
She ranked 72nd in the World Senbatsu General Election, following Chapuran.

name	Praewa Suthamphong
date of birth	February 9, 2000
Birthplace	Bangkok
blood type	B type
Facebook	@bnk48official.music
hobby	cosplay, games

bread

@pun.bnk48official

Bread is characterized by her slender style and charming smile.
He is loved not only by fans but also among the members.
Perhaps the simple atmosphere that makes you feel like you're with friends is popular.

name	Punsikorn Tiyakorn
date of birth	November 9, 2000
Birthplace	Bangkok
blood type	Type A
Facebook	@bnk48official.pun

Ohn

@orn.bnk48official

Ornn has lived alone since middle school and has overcome depression.
She overcame various hardships and successfully transitioned into the entertainment industry.
She is the center of "RIVER".

name	Patchanan Jiajirachote
date of birth	February 3, 1997
Birthplace	Bangkok
blood type	O type
Facebook	@bnk48official.orn

Actually, there are Japanese members in BNK48.

BNK48, which is extremely popular in Thailand, actually has two Japanese members.

Rina Izuta

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rina Izuta BNK48 (@rinaizuta.bnk48official) – September 24, 2018 8:16pm PDT

Izuda originally debuted as a member of AKB48 in 2012, but after that he requested to transfer to BNK48, and his wish came true in 2017.
That's a great decision. He has a natural personality and always makes those around him laugh.

Miori Okubo

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Miori BNK48 (@miori.bnk48official) – September 2, 2018 9:35am PDT

Born September 30, 1998.
She is from Japan and moved to Thailand when she was 10 years old due to her parents' work. She auditioned locally in Thailand and passed with flying colors. She is the only Japanese member of the first generation.

TWICE also has Japanese members, and idol groups are now worldwide.
Please pay attention to the future of the Japanese members who are active in Thailand.

summary

BNK48 has established a strong position in Thailand.
Its popularity doesn't seem to be waning any time soon. It is said that there are many Thai people who learned about AKB48 through BNK48 and became fans.
I hope that both Japan and Thailand will influence each other in a positive direction and liven up the music scenes in both countries.
Japanese members are also active, and the number of girls from Japan who aspire to be part of BNK48 may increase in the future. Please pay attention to BNK48's future activities.